Iran: New photo exhibition marks 150 years of humanitarian action

30-06-2013 News Release 13/117

Tehran (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) opened a photo exhibition in Tehran today, commemorating the organization's 150-year history of providing humanitarian assistance and protection for people suffering the effects of armed conflict or other violence.

"The nature of conflict has changed greatly over the past 150 years, raising new challenges for humanitarian work," said Pierre Ryter, head of the ICRC’s mission in Iran. "For example, violence against patients and health-care workers is a huge yet under-reported humanitarian issue affecting untold numbers of people in need of treatment. Another challenge is raised by family members who are separated from each other in the chaos of armed conflict, which generates terrible anxiety. The ICRC works to ease the suffering caused by these and many other consequences of armed violence."

Also launched today is a new and comprehensive textbook on international humanitarian law written by Dr Mohammad-Reza Ziaee Bigdeli, emeritus professor of international law from Allame-Tabatabaee University. An expert in this field, Dr Bigdeli has contributed to numerous academic events focusing on international humanitarian law organized by the ICRC and the Iranian National Committee of Humanitarian Law.

"The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the world’s largest humanitarian network, made up of millions of volunteers and professionals working to help the neediest," said Mr Ryter. "Together with our partners within the Movement, here in Iran in particular with the Iranian Red Crescent Society, we will continue to seek ways to meet current and future challenges."